A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

When the group arrived in Yishui County, as expected, Lord Tang had already arrived and was discussing epidemic prevention matters with Zhang Tuo and Jiang Zheng'an.

Tang Jincheng was deeply moved to see that Director Zhang and Doctor Qian had arrived so quickly. He strode forward to greet them and said excitedly, "Director Zhang, Doctor Qian, you've come! With you here, I feel much more at ease."

Seeing how much Tang Jincheng valued these two, Zhang Tuo couldn't help but turn his gaze over. Jiang Zheng'an finally got to meet the legendary Doctor Qian. Doctor Qian was dressed in all black, wearing a bamboo hat, and exuded an aura of mystery, making it impossible to discern anything about him.

Tang Jincheng hurriedly introduced Director Zhang and Doctor Qian to Zhang Tuo and Jiang Zheng'an, emphasizing that Doctor Qian was a physician from a reclusive family with unique medical skills, especially in treating various difficult and complicated diseases.

Although Zhang Tuo was an official, he was deeply moved by the fact that Director Zhang and his entourage had traveled a long distance from Qinghe County to treat the epidemic, and he immediately bowed respectfully to them.

“I admire the doctors’ compassion and kindness. Just now we were discussing how to prevent the spread of the epidemic. I was planning to further seal off the temple where the patients were staying and strictly control their contact with the outside world.”

"Several doctors can prepare medicines to alleviate the epidemic. I will send people to deliver the medicines to the exit of the blockade area so that patients can take them themselves to relieve their symptoms while waiting for rescue and instructions from above."

The infected individuals are residents of Yishui County, all of whom have families in the county seat. Occasionally, patients escape to search for their families, or family members, out of concern, go to visit their infected relatives. This situation must be strictly controlled; otherwise, the number of infections will only increase exponentially.

After hearing this, Director Zhang slowly shook his head. "Sir, your method can curb the spread of the epidemic to some extent, but the lives of the more than one hundred people in the locked-down area are in danger. The epidemic has been going on for seven or eight days, and the most seriously ill people are probably covered in sores and urgently need external wound treatment. Moreover, I estimate that many people have been running a high fever for several days, so they don't have the strength to find medicine or bandage their wounds."

Because the plague infection has lasted for so long, each patient may develop different complications, which cannot be resolved by simply taking some ordinary antibiotics. It is necessary to enter the quarantine zone, carefully examine the patient, and prescribe treatment based on the specific condition.

Time was of the essence, and Nie Qianqian didn't beat around the bush, stating directly:

“The current lockdown area is too small and the population is too dense, which can easily lead to cross-infection and is also not conducive to our treatment. I suggest that, as a first step, we should increase the number of staff and classify patients into severe, moderate to severe and mild cases for separate management. At the same time, we should expand the lockdown area to facilitate our rescue efforts. I will provide masks, gloves and other protective equipment to ensure the safety of our staff to the greatest extent possible.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tuo refused without hesitation, saying, "No! Sending more people means more people will come into contact with patients. Even with more protective measures, these people are still very likely to be infected."

Upon hearing this, Director Zhang immediately became anxious and said, "But if we don't send more staff, how can we treat more than a hundred people in such a short time with just a few of us?"

Zhang Tuo was also torn, torn between the precious lives of over a hundred people and the safety of thousands of residents in the entire county. Both options carried risks, and he racked his brains but couldn't come up with a solution that satisfied both.

Faced with such a difficult choice, it always seems that someone has to make a sacrifice. If it really comes to the point where he can only save one side, he has no choice but to give up the lives of the hundred or so people.

Lord Tang asked anxiously, "What should we do with these hundred or so people?"

Zhang Tuo remained silent; he simply couldn't answer that question.

Nie Qianqian looked directly at Zhang Tuo and said sincerely, "I understand your concerns, Lord Zhang, but these people are either parents of children, the pillars of their families, or elderly people. The weight of life cannot be simply measured and compared with numbers."

“I have preventative measures in place, and I have medicine that can cure the plague. The most important thing right now is to race against time to quickly identify critically ill patients and start treatment as quickly as possible to save their lives.”

After hearing this, Zhang Tuo hesitated. He knew that Doctor Qian's words made sense, but he really didn't dare to take the risk. In the end, he still couldn't completely trust Doctor Qian and didn't dare to believe that he could really cure such a difficult disease as the plague.

The two had differing stances and considerations, making it difficult to reach a consensus, and the discussion reached a stalemate. The already oppressive atmosphere froze even more.

Zhang Tuo's voice was hoarse; the high-pressure work of the past few days had made him seem to have aged several years overnight. He said, "Dr. Qian, I really dare not take this risk. If your medicine is ineffective, Yishui County will surely fall, and Qinghe County will be the next to suffer. I hope you can understand my predicament."

Lord Tang quickly said, "Lord Zhang, Doctor Qian's medical skills are superb; he is by no means the kind of person who speaks carelessly and exaggerates!"

Zhang Tuo said helplessly, "Jincheng, I trust your judgment, but..."

He dared not gamble, wanting to save these people but also fearing even the slightest risk of the epidemic getting out of control.

Zhang Tuo continued, "If only a small number of people are needed, I'm willing to go in with you and help in any way I can. But we absolutely cannot send a large number of additional people into the lockdown area to come into contact with the patients."

Lord Tang exclaimed in surprise, "Teacher?!"

At this moment, Jiang Zheng'an's voice rang out: "Lord Zhang is still needed to take charge here. I am willing to enter the sealed-off area to assist the doctors in treating and saving lives."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tuo looked utterly astonished: "You..."

Jiang Zheng'an was born into a prestigious family and was the eldest son. Such a person, with a noble birth and a bright future, was willing to take such a huge risk...

Nie Qianqian was equally surprised. She originally had a very bad impression of Jiang Zheng'an, thinking that he was just like his sister—arrogant and pretentious. But now, her opinion of Jiang Zheng'an had changed drastically.

Tang Jincheng pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Both of your ideas make sense. Why don't we let Director Zhang and his group enter the sealed-off area to examine and treat the patients first? If Doctor Qian's medicine is indeed effective, we can gradually consider sending more people. I trust Doctor Qian and am willing to go with him."

Although Nie Qianqian was young, her medical skills were superb and unique, and she was calm and composed. Since she said she could cure the plague, Tang Jincheng chose to believe her.

Nie Qianqian looked at Tang Jincheng, feeling a mix of emotions.

Nie Qianqian looked at Tang Jincheng. At first, she regarded Lord Tang as a powerful figure and a benefactor with whom she wanted to maintain a good relationship. Only today did she see the sincerity of Lord Tang's attitude towards her.

Zhang Tuo was speechless for a moment, feeling as if something was stuck in his throat.

First, there was the benevolent act of Director Zhang and Doctor Qian traveling a long distance to come, and then there was the fearless courage of Tang Jincheng and Jiang Zheng'an who risked their lives to get involved.

Perhaps, it truly is a blessing from heaven for Yishui.

Without further hesitation, Zhang Tuo decisively said, "Alright, as Jin Cheng says. I'll arrange for someone to take you into the epidemic area right away. Time is of the essence, so I entrust the people of Yishui to you all." After saying this, he bowed deeply.